The Lagos State Government has rejected claims that it is protecting suspects linked to the killing of six traders at Owode Onirin, insisting that its decision not to prosecute was driven purely by insufficient evidence.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
In a statement released on Friday, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), dismissed a publication titled “Is Lagos State Shielding Killers?” as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts”. The article had criticised the state’s handling of the August 27, 2025 incident involving Inspector Manu Bala and four other police officers.
Pedro explained that the case was reviewed after the Lagos State Police Command submitted its file for legal advice, in line with Section 74 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
According to him, a detailed examination of witness accounts, suspect statements and supporting documents did not establish a prima facie case against the officers.
He said, “For instance, there was no eyewitness account in the case file confirming that the policemen shot the deceased, despite the incident allegedly occurring in a busy market.”
He further stated that the materials reviewed pointed to a different sequence of events. According to the file, traders allegedly attacked the police team when they arrived at a disputed land, during which Inspector Jibrin was reportedly disarmed.
Pedro said the officer’s rifle was taken and allegedly used by one of the traders to open fire. He also noted that the inspector was assaulted and later hospitalised.
A civilian initially arrested in connection with the incident was later found not to have been present at the scene, he added.
Because of the seriousness of the matter, Pedro said the Ministry of Justice did not immediately issue a “no case” recommendation. Instead, it asked the police to carry out further investigations.
On 30 October 2025, the ministry reportedly requested additional evidence, including post-mortem findings, ballistic analysis of recovered bullets, and forensic examination of the weapons assigned to the officers involved.
However, Pedro said the police did not provide the requested documents within 45 days. A reminder was issued on 17 December 2025, even as the suspects remained in custody and their bail applications were refused.
He said it was only after several months of detention and no further submissions from the police that the ministry issued its legal advice on 3 March 2026, concluding that no prima facie case had been established.
The advice recommended withdrawal of charges of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter under Sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, citing insufficient evidence.
Pedro stressed that the decision is not irreversible.
“In the event that any new evidence emerges linking any suspect to the crime, the ministry will not hesitate to prosecute, as there is no time bar for criminal prosecution,” he said.
He also disclosed that provisional post-mortem and ballistic reports were only submitted after the legal advice had already been issued. These documents, he added, are still under review.
Defending the government’s position, Pedro said the decision not to proceed with prosecution where evidence is lacking is a legal and constitutional responsibility rather than an attempt to shield suspects.
“The decision not to prosecute where evidence is insufficient is not an act of protection it is an ethical and constitutional obligation to prevent wrongful prosecution,” he said.
He added, “Justice is not a one-way traffic; but three way traffic. It must serve the victim, the suspect and society at large.”
Pedro also criticised what he described as selective police briefings to the media, alleging that key facts were either misrepresented or omitted. He warned against prosecutions driven by assumption or emotion rather than evidence.
He reaffirmed that Lagos State remains committed to due process, stressing that prosecutions must be fair, impartial and grounded in verifiable facts.
The Owode Onirin incident in August 2025, which claimed six lives, continues to draw public attention amid ongoing debate over the actions of both law enforcement and prosecuting authorities.
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
